Obs Pantarijn and Shri Krishna Hindu Primary School
Obs Pantarijn and Shri Krishna Hindu Primary School
Obs Pantarijn and Shri Krishna Hindu Primary School
Two primary schools with their own identity under one roof
The Roman limes as the basis for the design
Around 1800 years ago, the limes were an important route along the border of the Roman Empire, and now it is a zone of high archaeological value. The road runs, among other things, through the Utrecht district of De Meern, right through the location of the two primary schools. Because the limes should be kept free as much as possible, the task was complex. At the same time, this fact is the reason for the characteristic design of the building. The primary schools were built on both sides of the former Roman road and are connected by road by shared, transparently set up playrooms. As a result, the limes remain largely free and recognisable in the area.
Open learning plazas and ancient Hindu architecture
Both schools have a distinct character within the building. For Pantarijn, this means an informal, open layout with learning plazas on both floors. For Shri Krishna, atelier PRO has incorporated aspects of the Vastu Shastra, the ancient Hindu building theory, into the school. This is reflected in the main geometric shape and in the layout around a high central space with lots of light from above. The Vastu Shastra has also had an influence on the orientation and positioning of spaces, such as the main entrance, and the use of colors in the building.
A flexible and switchable building
At both schools, the classrooms with sliding glass doors are grouped around a central area with a learning square. With Shri Krishna, this is on the ground floor, with Pantarijn over two layers. The central areas can be opened with sliding doors to two playrooms; these playrooms can be combined with each other by means of sliding walls. This design has created one large space between the two schools, which can be used in parts or in whole as you wish - something that promotes flexible and shared use of space. At the same time, this space makes the school complex into a whole.
The façade: shared and individual identity
The wish of both schools was to create a striking building, an important starting point in the design. The continuous connecting façade is made of aluminum with a sparkle coating that glitters in the sunlight. At square level, the façade is made of coiled brickwork - for the distinction between Pantarijn in dark grey and Shri Krishna in white. At the location of the Roman limes, the facade is mostly made of glass, so that the course can be seen through the playrooms. This is reinforced by the fact that the limes have a different pavement in the schoolyard, which also continues into the playrooms in color.
Art as a marker: lotus patterns and a light artwork
To strengthen the identity of the schools, the aluminum facade has been treated and decorated with light art and decoration: a perforated pattern based on lotus flowers was applied above the windows at the Hindu primary school; a large work of art was designed by atelier PRO, based on the name of the school, for the public primary school. Pantarijn refers to both the Rhine River and the Greek phrase “panta rhei”, which means “everything flows”; the artwork, which lights up extra at night, symbolises the undulating movement of water.
A sustainable, innovative design
The school is gas-free, energy-neutral (ENG) and also has a healthy indoor climate, with Frisse Scholen label B. The building's energy demand is limited by very good insulation of the building envelope and low-temperature floor heating, while the users' energy demand is further limited by LED lighting and presence detection - including CO2 detection in all living areas. Of course, there is outdoor sun protection to prevent temperatures exceeding in the summer. Solar panels on the roof provide renewable energy. The building can also be further expanded in the future, according to the client's explicit wishes.
The Roman road gave the school building its special expressive shape - a beacon in the residential area and a reminder of the first residents of De Meern.
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